The Avalanche will use the same lineup Saturday in Columbus that they did Thursday in their 3-0 win against New Jersey, so Calvin Pickard will make his second consecutive start in goal.
Semyon Varlamov is scheduled to start Monday in Winnipeg. The Denver Post reported that defensemen Erik Johnson (knee) and Brad Stuart (back) didn't make the trip. Defenseman Nate Guenin remains on the roster and is on the trip after clearing waivers Thursday.
Here are the GAME NOTES.
This is the second and final meeting between the Avalanche and Blue Jackets, who were 0-8-0 and playing their second game under coach John Tortorella before they skated to a 4-3 win at the Pepsi Center on Oct. 24.
Rookie goalie Joonas Korpisalo will start for the Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky, who hasn't played since sustaining a groin injury Dec. 8, was activated from injured reserve Friday and will be the backup.
Korpisalo made 41 saves Wednesday in a 3-1 win at Toronto when the Jackets ended a four-game losing streak (0-3-1).
Pickard, of course, is coming off his first NHL shutout, a 27-save effort against the Devils.
"He played so well last game he deserves to play again," coach Patrick Roy said.
The Avalanche have gone 10-4-2 in their past 16 games to move into the second wild card spot in the West, one point in front of Nashville and five behind Minnesota, which has the first wild card. The Predators are home against the Wild on Saturday.
Happy birthday to Matt Duchene, who is 25 Saturday.
Here's the Avalanche lineup:
FORWARDS Alex Tanguay - Nathan MacKinnon - Matt Duchene Gabriel Landeskog - Carl Soderberg - Blake Comeau Andreas Martinsen - Chris Wagner - Jarome Iginla Cody McLeod - John Mitchell - Jack Skille
DEFENSE Francois Beauchemin - Nikita Zadorov Nick Holden - Tyson Barrie Zach Redmond - Chris Bigras
GOALIES Calvin Pickard Semyon Varlamov